Project Details

Background: The rate of obesity in women of childbearing age is increasing in high income countries. Increased BMI is thought to be related to adverse pregnancy outcomes. During pregnancy, however, BMI may naturally increase leading to incorrect classification of women according to WHO BMI categories (underweight, normal, overweight, obese and super-obese) at term and a reluctance of clinicians and researchers to use pre-pregnancy BMI categories in term pregnant women. Furthermore, the rate of caesarean section (CS) is also increasing which, when combined with increased maternal size, may contribute to adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes, increased total theatre times and increased hospital costs. There is little research in this area. The aim of this study was to investigate associations between maternal size at term and clinical, theatre utilization and health economic outcomes for women undergoing CS.

Method: A prospective multicentre observational study was undertaken of women undergoing all categories of caesarean section. Height and weight were recorded at the initial antenatal visit and at delivery. We analysed the associations between term BMI (continuous and pregnancy specific cut-off values) and total theatre time, surgical time, anaesthesia time, maternal and neonatal adverse outcomes, total hospital admission, and theatre, costs.